157 -- Fall Out Boy -- Friday, July 18, 2014 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

For years, I would never have considered seeing Fall Out Boy.  The negative association I had with them from my first year teaching was too much to handle.  Fortunately, I got over that experience, and seven years later, I was able to enjoy a heckuva show.

--- “The Phoenix”!!  Killer opener.  Fire used with a purpose.  So much better than Paramore.

--- “This Ain't a Scene; It’s an Arms Race.”  Such a memorable chorus.

--- “Alone Together” is better still; the chorus and verses are catchy.

--- “Suga, We're Goin Down.”  The crowd is unbelievable.

--- “Sometimes it doesn't just ‘get’ better.  That seems to undersell a generation of kids. Sometimes you have to crack the pavement for it to get better."  Deep stuff, Pete Wentz.  

--- Random “99 Problems” drum solo where the drum set moved backwards.  Okay…

--- “Dance, Dance.”  Props to Patrick Stump losing close to nothing vocally from the albums.

--- “I Don't Care.” A lot of other people do!  They also like “Light ‘Em Up.”
 
--- “Just One Yesterday.”  Heh, Stump loves popping balloons, like bubble wrap.  “Popping is the best part.”  Truth.

--- “Grand Theft Autumn / Where Is The Boy.”  This hulk in the audience spins like a madman: HA.

--- “Save Rock and Roll.”  The band members look cool walking on multi-level black staging.

--- Awww, Wentz plays “We Are the Champions” as a shout out to his non-punk-rock dad who still taking him to so many punk shows as a kid.  The dad dancing with his daughter during it!

--- “Young Volcanoes.”  Another well-written, satisfying song.  I will actually download each of the albums *after* the concert.  When have I done that before?!

Grade: B+ / A-